What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAll American
April Blair · Series · 2018
If you loved All American, start with American Underdog (Jon Erwin, 2021) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to All American across media.
If you loved All American, you likely crave stories where intense athletic ambition collides with complex social and personal realities.
Books on the same thread
Bleachers
John Grisham · Book · 2010
Shares a thread with All American: Sports Drama.
Much like the high school stakes in All American, this novel captures the bittersweet weight of glory days and the complicated legacy left behind after the football season ends.
The Squad
Christina Soontornvat · Book
Explores: team dynamics, peer pressure, ambition.
If All American hit, The Squad shares the thread.
Masters of the Air
Donald L. Miller · Book
Explores: aerial combat, wartime camaraderie, strategic logistics.
If All American hit, Masters of the Air shares the thread.
The Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown · Book
Explores: Perseverance, Teamwork, Great Depression era.
If All American hit, The Boys in the Boat shares the thread.
Films on the same thread
Remember the Titans
Boaz Yakin · Film · 2000
Shares a thread with All American: Sports Drama.
This film mirrors the cultural friction found in All American as two men from disparate backgrounds must bridge their differences to build a successful, unified football team together.
BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee · Film · 2018
Explores: Racial Injustice, Undercover Operation, Identity.
If All American hit, BlacKkKlansman shares the thread.
The Blind Side
John Lee Hancock · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with All American: Sports Drama.
Fans of All American will recognize the powerful journey of a young man navigating socioeconomic disparity and finding a new family support system while pursuing a football career.
American Underdog
Jon Erwin · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with All American: Sports Drama.
This biographical story echoes the perseverance found in All American, tracking a determined athlete as he overcomes significant obstacles to reach the highest level of professional football success.
Podcasts on the same thread
Ausmerican Aces
Podcast
Explores: Australian Sports, American Sports, Sports Culture.
If All American hit, Ausmerican Aces shares the thread.
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
If All American hit, This American Life shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is All American based on a true story?
Yes, All American is inspired by the real life of professional football player Spencer Paysinger. The series follows a rising high school football star who moves from South Central Los Angeles to play for Beverly Hills High, highlighting the collision of two vastly different worlds.
What is the main premise of All American?
All American centers on a high school football player from South Central Los Angeles recruited by Beverly Hills High. The show explores the wins, losses, and personal struggles as two families from Compton and Beverly Hills navigate their colliding environments and different social realities.
Who created the television show All American?
The television series All American, which premiered in 2018, was created by April Blair. The story is centered on the experiences of a high school football athlete transitioning between life in South Central Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Does All American focus on high school football?
Yes, All American focuses on a rising high school football player who is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High. The narrative explores the impact of this transition on his life and the families from Compton and Beverly Hills that become involved in his journey.